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‘The Art Show 2025’ Opens at CMCARTS Saturday

January 6, 2025

The Artists Guild of St. Croix will boast the works of 15 artists in “The Art Show 2025” at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in downtown Frederiksted on Saturday. Doors open in the upstairs gallery at 4 p.m. In the courtyard, patrons can enjoy live music from saxophonist Yannic Elizee, appetizers by Lang Stephens and a cash bar until 7 p.m. The show is open until Feb. 1 during museum hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The annual Artists Guild exhibit is open to all 2025 members whose works in 2D and 3D media are original to the show. Photographs, lithographs, woodcuts, and digital works are also in the collection.

Since its 2013 inception, the nonprofit organization has held true to its mission: “to support the visual arts and the diverse community of visual artists who live and work their art on St. Croix.”

With recent projects that ignited new membership, the Artists Guild looks forward to a new year with workshops in March, April, and October 2025, sharing members’ talents in Mosaics, Masks, and Collage. These workshops will be offered to youths and adults, the Guild organizer said.

Plein Air painting [the practice of painting in the open air] held at Grapetree Bay in November was a successful event that allowed artists to capture the essence of a subject by incorporating natural light, color, and movement into their work. Guild President Matt Jarvis led this new activity.

Acrylic and mixed media artist Tamara Michael has exhibited in the “Spirit, Artistry and Craft of Moko Jumbies and the New Blood: The Final Chapter,” both at CMCARTS. Her work was shown at the Cane Roots Art Gallery in the V.I. Contemporary Art III Exhibit in downtown Christiansted. Michael has also exhibited at the Children’s Museum and the Water Island Music Festival on St. Thomas. Her murals can be seen around the island on St. Croix.

No Words. Acrylic and mixed media by Tamara Michael
(Photo courtesy of Tamara Michael)

Mixed media mask-maker Joyce Hickok can take weeks to process her art, but she knows it’s completed when it has a personality, she said. Hickok has shown her masks in many exhibits on St. Croix. CMCARTS displays a variety of her art for purchase in the museum store and Cane Roots Art Gallery in Christiansted always has her work for sale. Hickok was the Cover Artist on the December 2023 issue of St. Croix This Week that featured her Magueraders mask.

Crowning Glory. Mixed media by Joyce Hickok (Photo courtesy Joyce Hickok)

Scuba diver, photographer and upcycle artist Debra “DJ” Kissinger has developed a prolific collection of her underwater photographs; many have taken center stage on the front page of the V.I. Daily News. Kissinger is a member of the board and brings new ideas that nurture the effectiveness of the board’s vision and the “creation of new opportunities for both old and new members.” She said, “It’s fun working on a project that will benefit our community.”